It Figures

$640 Million

Amount sought in a lawsuit filed by diamond-seller Lazare Kaplan from its insurers after the “disappearance” of a large number of diamonds. The suit alleges the insurers – Lloyd’s syndicates – violated two all-risk policies issued in New York. Lazare said it received an initial, $28 million payment, but then the insurers refused to acknowledge the coverage or make additional payments.

$32 Million

Amount recovered in 2009 by the New York Insurance Department on behalf of consumers after investigations into claims handling and other practices, according to a new report. In addition, investigations by the department led insurers to reinstate 116,000 policies that had been improperly cancelled or non-renewed.

26,000

Number of chicks destroyed by a fire at a Delaware poultry farm last month. The fire was caused by an electrical malfunction. Damage is estimated at $250,000.

$1.1 Million

Settlement paid by a Connecticut teenager and her mother to the family of a toddler who drowned while the teen was baby-sitting. A judge approved the settlement last month between the Veenhuis family and Michelle and Krista Repko. Authorities say Krista Repko was baby-sitting 3-year-old Cole Veenhuis and his twin sister when Cole drowned in the family’s pool on last year. No criminal charges were filed, but the Veenhuis family pursued the case in probate court as part of Cole’s estate. They included Repko’s mother, Michelle, in their claim because she allegedly recommended her daughter to baby-sit.

$4.3 Million

Amount awarded to a Massachusetts man who was severely injured five years ago when two snow plows dumped a load of snow off of a busy highway overpass. Mark Lambert, whose family owns a small chain of grocery stores, was driving a truck loaded with plants and produce when it was crushed by the snow. The two plows, operated by P.A. Landers Inc., of Hanover, pushed the snow off the overpass onto Route 3. Lambert’s lawyer says his client suffered serious back injuries and is now unable to work.